Speakimg for myself, after all these years (I am retired and trade for fun now), I never feel I have "made it". I always feel like I am ready to prove it over again, every day that I trade. Of course after a while I do have a lot of good days to think back on, so that helps.
People don't "hate" good day traders, primarily because they know so few. Good day traders don't mix it up with the public. On the west coast, the schedule just doesn't permit it. That means that those who do talk it up are probably wannabees. Don't believe me, fine, check out the P&L thread. Do you see many (any) of those names posting on this thread?....right, thought so..